Sogno Toscano
culinary adventure
in the Heart of Tuscany & Umbria, Italy
Villa Vetrichina, San Casciano dei Bagni & the Stunning Hilltop Town of Montefalco
Saturday, September 21 – Sunday September 29, 2024
We’ve curated a 9-day/8-night extraordinary experience in a traditional Italian farmhouse villa hosted by its generous, adoring owner, Patrizia Rigano, followed by three additional days in the quaint medieval town of Montefalco, Umbria perched on a hilltop boasting magnificent views.
This is a traveler’s dream vacation combining food, cooking, culture, wine tastings, touring, shopping, picturesque excursions, all wrapped around an adventure of a lifetime!
Sogno Toscano Culinary Adventure is designed to help you
Liberate your heart.
Revitalize your spirit.
Renew your sense of wanderlust.
in the breathtaking countryside of Tuscany and Umbria regions.
In the Morning
Your awakening will be immersed in the scents of a homemade breakfast of sweet rolls, cooked foods, hot coffee, freshly squeezed juice, and seasonal fruit in the warmth of the rustic Tuscan farmhouse Villa nestled in the woods and greenery.
During the day
In your free-time, gift yourself with the sweetness of simple relaxation by the pool or in the intimate corners of the garden, or sit with several of your like-minded traveling partners exchanging stories of your lives and the beautiful villa experience.
When we are in a new culture away from our daily routines and demands, we give ourselves an elevated experience of enhanced imagination, joy, intuition, inspiration, high vibration, play, fun, desire, and delight!
In the evening
You will enjoy traditional Tuscan dinners with homemade bread and pasta, soups, vegetables, and meat cooked with that Italian energy of passion accompanied by excellent wines.
During our six days and five nights in the Tuscan villa hosted by lovely owner Patrizia Ricagno and Chef Francesco, we encourage you to liberate yourself by being fearless as you try new cuisine, heritage wines, and immerse yourself in how to live a quality Italian life!
Want to know what others think of the location we will be staying at during this adventure?
Here is some recent customer feedback we received from their stay in March 2024.
As your culinary adventure hosts, we aspire for this to be transformational and a great vacation!
Rico and Marla have been longtime friends since 1986. They’ve remained friends throughout their own life’s journey over the last three decades. It was last year over dinner when they decided to bring together their shared passions for Italy, travel, cooking, culture, transformation, and joy into this life changing adventure!
We invite you to leave your:
- Worries
- Responsibilities
- Current Routines
We want you to have
an immersive experience
There will be ample time for quiet, self-care time to walk along the country road taking in the lush countryside capturing photos, or meditating and journaling under the outdoor pergola, or lounging poolside for quality time alone or with your traveling companions.
And at the end of the six days at the villa, we will have our private driver take us to the historical hilltop town of Montefalco in the neighboring region of Umbria.
We will have three marvelous days to eat sumptuous local meals, explore the small town of Montefalco, experience an olive oil tasting tour and have one more wine tasting drinking Italian red wine made with 100% Sagrantino grapes most known in this region.
what’s the itinerary?
Saturday, Sept 21 – Arrivals, Relaxing, Welcome Dinner
Mid-afternoon arrivals at the beautiful Villa Vetrichina in San Casciano dei Bagni, Siena. You’ll be greeted by our private driver for your transfers from either Rome airport or Rome Termini train station. You’ll enjoy the scenic almost 2-hour ride to Siena region. You’ll be greeted by our host, check in to your rooms, relax, enjoy a swim in the pool (weather permitting), stroll around the property, enjoy your free time. We’ll meet in a designated area in the villa for the welcome reception and a traditional Aperitivo. We’ll then gather in the villa’s dining room for our welcome dinner.
Sunday Sept 22 – Explore San Casciano dei Bagni, free day to explore
You’ll have your first of many delicious homemade breakfasts by Patrizia ready for us at her choosing somewhere on the property among the beautiful trees and garden areas. You’ll then have the day to roam free and explore the quaint historical town of San Casciano dei Bagni or do as you please. We’ll meet in the late afternoon for the traditional Aperitivo and then gather in the villa’s dining room for our homemade dinner and tasty wine as we share our day’s adventures.
Monday Sept 23 – Full day winery tour with lunch in the Chianti, Montalcino, and Montelpuciano regions.
Winery Tour with our good friend Luca as he drives us through the Tuscan countryside to two wineries. We’ll stop in Montalcino – home of Brunello – explore the town, lunch and wine tasting at one of the oldest wineries in the region. We’ll head back to the villa for relaxation and another delicious homemade dinner later in the evening to finish off an outstanding day in Tuscany!
Tues, Sept 24 – An ultimate cheesemaking experience at the famous Caseficio Piu
We’ll awake to the smell of coffee, sweet rolls, and more for our breakfast before we head out to our cheesemaking experience. We’ll be driven to Caseficio Piu to tour their grounds, meet the goats, and watch the entire cheese making process ending with a cheese and charcuterie tasting! After arriving back at the villa for free time, we’ll have another tasty Italian dinner as we gather and talk about our day’s adventure.
Wed Sept 25 – Countryside bike ride or lounge day, your choice
After breakfast you’ll have the choice to lounge, meditate in the gardens, walk the countryside with your travel companions or take a two-hour leisurely bike ride with one of the local tour operators. Starting in late afternoon, we’ll put on our aprons and get ready for our cooking class! This dinner will leave a forever lasting impression. You’ll be entertained, amused, and delighted by the villa’s own Chef Francesco who will lead us in our own cooking class in the villa kitchen, which will be our last night celebration dinner!
Thurs Sept 26 – Depart for Montefalco, Umbria
After breakfast, we will pack and then board our private van to take the scenic ride to beautiful Montefalco about 90 minutes away. We’ll check into our boutique hotel, relax, get settled, and be on your own for whatever you desire. You’ll have time for exploring the shopping at the local artisanal shops or wine bars. You’ll be on your own for lunch and dinner. We’ll see you in the morning for a wonderful Umbrian wine tasting tour.
Fri Sept 27 – Umbrian wine experience and lunch at the winery
We’ll have breakfast and then board our private van to explore Umbrian wine tasting drinking Italian red wine made with 100% Sagrantino grapes and lunch. After we arrive back in town, you are welcome to relax and chat with the locals and compare notes with your travel partners! We’ll meet for dinner in the town of Montefalco and have the privilege of meeting the Chef (owner) for an education about his establishment and culinary secrets.
Saturday Sept 28 – Prepare to leave, pack, enjoy the last day in Umbria
After breakfast, we recommend packing and preparing to leave for Sunday. You’ll have lunch on your own exploring Montefalco. For our last night together, we’ll celebrate with an Umbrian olive oil tasting and special farewell dinner.
Sunday Sept 29 – Check-out, depart back to Rome or onto to own next Italian destination
We say our goodbye to Montefalco and take in the gratitude for an incredible adventure as our driver takes us safely back to Rome. We recommend staying the night in Rome near the airport to make it easy to fly out the next day back to home. We can recommend hotels and how to arrange for a shuttle from the hotel to the airport.
what is included?
Pre-trip Zoom call to meet and share inspiring intentions for the extraordinary retreat
Welcome celebration reception outdoors prior to our delicious Italian welcome dinner
5 nights in a beautiful private room accommodation at the villa and 3 nights in a cozy room in a select boutique hotel in Montefalco
Wi-fi in all spaces
Courtesy set, hairdryer, towels in all villa bathrooms
All villa suites equipped with Italian linens, a modern bathroom, and well-appointed décor
Transfers from Rome and return transportation to Rome Fiumicino Airport. All transport while at the villa and in Montefalco.
At the villa, (5) Healthy, delicious breakfasts & (2) lunches prepared and cooked by Villa owner, Patrizia Ricagno and (6) dinners by Chef Francesco. (Lunches on other days are included in excursions) All allergies & food preferences can be accommodated.
Winery, lunch, Olive Oil tasting & (2) dinner excursions in Montefalco region At the villa, Italian wine, plus filtered water, tea, and coffee with dinner. Wine Tasting and lunch day tour in Tuscany
Enhance your transformational travel experience by choosing to add life design coaching sessions during your Tuscany stay for an additional fee. Inquire by emailing Marla@marladiann.com
At the villa, (5) Healthy, delicious breakfasts & (2) lunches prepared and cooked by Villa owner, Patrizia Ricagno and (6) dinners by Chef Francesco. (Lunches on other days are included in excursions) All allergies & food preferences can be accommodated.
E-Bike excursion (includes lunch)
Freedom to take walks and hikes through the iconic Tuscan countryside
Relaxation by the pool
All taxes
what is NOT included?
- Your airfare to and from Rome Fiumicino airport
- Required travel insurance to include health and travel cancellation
- Other non-included items such as additional excursions, excess baggage charges, additional alcoholic beverages, personal items, and souvenir shopping
- Any other expense not listed in inclusions
- The Villa cannot accommodate requests to arrive early or stay late. Please book separate hotel arrangements outside of retreat dates.
- Tipping the Villa owner and Chef
Please choose your registration 8 spots only:
Full-Pay Savings Rate
Early rate ends May 30, 2024. Increases $500.
Payment Plan
Early rate ends May 30, 2024. Increases $500.
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with a $1,835 deposit & 2 Pay of $1,835
Get more info
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Schedule a 30min Call Prior to Registering.
MEET YOUR RETREAT HOSTS
Rico Mandel The Heart and Soul of Miz En Place
Rico, the visionary founder, and CEO of Miz En Place, embodies a lifelong journey fueled by passions for photography, filmmaking, culinary arts, business acumen, exploration, and entertainment. His mission is to unite people in support of artisanal small businesses worldwide. Rico eagerly welcomes the opportunity to share his compelling story and expertise, inspiring your culinary adventures and culinary dreams.
Rico’s love of food and cooking inspired him to achieve a culinary degree from the renowned Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. His culinary odyssey saw him become a trained chef, with extensive experience in fine dining restaurants, catering, and prestigious wine dinners.
Rico’s profound love for artisanal food, chefs, and wine led to the creation of luxury wine tours in the Malibu region. These tours became the catalyst for his visionary venture, Miz En Place. Rico’s knack for storytelling blossomed as he interviewed small producers worldwide, sharing their captivating narratives. His mission: to bring these exceptional artisans and their products to a global audience.
At the core of Rico’s mission is the desire to demystify cooking, removing fear and hesitation from the kitchen. He encourages people to embrace culinary creativity, have fun, and craft delicious dishes using unprocessed, quality ingredients. Rico’s infectious passion for cooking is a journey he’s eager to share with Miz En Place’s community.
Rico lives in Los Angeles near his two amazing daughters and frequents Italy annually and other international countries as Austria, Greece, and France.
Marla Diann, owner of Marla Diann Mentoring International
